We Are an Ecosystem

The living connection between our bodies and the natural world

Lately, I’ve been deeply inspired by Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a book that has reshaped the way I see our relationship with nature. Coming from a background where this understanding wasn’t a part of my culture or upbringing, I am only now beginning to comprehend the depth of our connection to the natural world. Kimmerer’s writing weaves together Indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge, offering a perspective that has helped me see nature not as something separate from myself but as a living system that we are intrinsically a part of.

I myself am not a botanist, but I’ve been learning what it means to feel like I am nature, to see myself in the river beds and the cloudy skies, in the soil I use to repot my plants to the trees I hug when no one is watching. 

In all the readings and observations from my time outdoors, I can’t help but see how our bodies function much like the Earth, relying on delicate cycles of exchange, balance, and renewal. From the way we breathe to how we process nutrients, we are part of the same systems that sustain life across the planet. 

Every breath we take 

The oxygen connection

Every breath we take is part of this vast natural cycle that reminds us of our deep interconnection with the world around us.

Our Bodies as Oxygen Ecosystems

Just as the Earth maintains a delicate cycle of oxygen exchange, our bodies function as their intricate ecosystems, reliant on balance and interconnection. Oxygen fuels nearly every process in our bodies, much like it sustains life on the planet.

Don’t you find it fascinating like I do? Knowing that our lungs, like trees, facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, filtering the air we take in and sustaining life with every breath? The branching bronchi in our lungs even resemble the structure of tree limbs, mirroring the way forests distribute and process gases. Or again, oxygen is carried through our bloodstream, much like rivers and ocean currents transport oxygen and nutrients across the Earth. Our circulatory system ensures that every cell receives the oxygen it needs, just as ecosystems distribute resources to maintain balance.

Can you see the connection? 

When I sit on the shores of a local loch (a Scottish word to name a lake or a sea inlet) and submerge my feet in the cold water, I may not see the connection straight away. After all, I am driving from a busy city. But give me a couple of hours, hearing the winds between the leaves, and I can see it all; I can then feel the skin of my feet in contact with the water, reacting to it as if it’s known it from an ancient time. 

Each cell in our body operates as a tiny, self-regulating ecosystem, converting oxygen into energy in a way that mirrors the metabolic processes of the natural world. Mitochondria, the energy powerhouses of our cells, function like miniature oxygen-processing plants, ensuring the body’s vitality.

Just as plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, our bodies take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This continuous exchange keeps both us and the planet in harmony, demonstrating our direct role in the Earth’s natural cycles.

Understanding our bodies as living ecosystems reveals how deeply we are tied to the planet. When we nourish ourselves with mindful practices aimed at safeguarding the Earth, we are participating in the same life-sustaining processes that govern the natural world.

If this is not beautiful, I don’t know what is. 

What happens then when an ecosystem is disrupted?

When an ecosystem is thrown off balance (whether through deforestation, pollution, or climate change), its ability to sustain life is compromised. 

The health of our planet is deeply interconnected with our own well-being. Ecosystems, like rainforests, oceans, and wetlands, rely on a delicate balance between all their components: plants, animals, and environmental factors. When this balance is disrupted, the entire system can unravel, causing long-lasting damage affecting all life forms, including us.

This disruption in nature mirrors what happens within us when we neglect our health. Just like ecosystems, our bodies are interconnected systems that depend on balance to function properly. Our need for rest, nourishment, and movement is just as crucial as a rainforest’s need for clean water and biodiversity. When we ignore these natural rhythms, whether by overworking, eating poorly, or neglecting exercise, we begin to experience the consequences: stress, illness, and imbalance.

A note on diversity

Just as ecosystems thrive on biodiversity, where different species, plants, and animals work together to create a balanced environment, our societies also depend on human diversity. Embracing all identities, cultures, abilities, genders, and backgrounds strengthens our communities, making them more resilient and adaptable. The richness of human diversity is just as vital as biodiversity in the natural world. When we celebrate and nurture these differences, we create more balanced, inclusive, and thriving societies, which help us survive in the long run.

Conclusion

Recognising these parallels between our well-being and the environment helps us understand that caring for ourselves and the planet must go hand in hand. The health of one impacts the other. If we want to live in a thriving world, we must nurture our environment and ourselves. 

The good news is that both nature and our bodies have incredible resilience. By tending to our inner ecosystem, we also cultivate a deeper relationship with the world around us.

Below, I link to some eco-somatic practices that can help you restore balance. 

Spending time in nature
Whether it’s walking through forests, swimming in bodies of water, or simply sitting in a park, spending time in nature helps regulate our nervous system and reconnect us to the Earth’s natural rhythms. Immersing ourselves in natural environments allows us to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the cycles of life happening all around us. This act of grounding ourselves in nature can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and enhance our overall sense of wellbeing.

Breathwork and mindfulness
Conscious breathing exercises remind us of our connection to the planet’s oxygen cycle. When we take a moment to focus on our breath, we’re aligning with the very life force that sustains us. Breathwork can calm the body, reduce anxiety, and bring us back into balance. Just as the earth maintains a constant flow of oxygen, we need this natural rhythm to function at our best.

Leave No Trace
The gentle art of walking through nature with minimal impact is a powerful practice that restores balance. “Leave no trace” means being mindful of our surroundings, ensuring we leave nature as we found it. This not only preserves the environment for future generations but also teaches us respect for the interconnectedness of all living things. By practising sustainability and being conscious of our environmental footprint, we nurture both ourselves and the planet.

Honouring rest and renewal
As the seasons cycle through growth and dormancy, our bodies need time to rest and restore. Capitalism is teaching us that this is not possible. Community building is how we can learn how to balance action and rest. Embracing rest allows us to heal and come back stronger, much like how ecosystems flourish after a period of rest or regeneration.

How can you tend to your inner ecosystem today?